The award is presented annually to the best defensive back in college football.

White is hoping to become the third LSU player to win the award, joining Patrick Peterson in 2010 and Morris Claiborne in 2011.

White started 11 games as a true freshman in 2013, earning Freshman All-SEC and third-team Freshman All-America honors.

He recorded 55 tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss and two interceptions a year ago, and he led the Tigers with seven pass breakups. His interceptions came in victories at Mississippi State and against Iowa in the Outback Bowl.

Regarded as one of the nation's top prep cornerbacks coming out of high school, White made an immediate impact in his first season at LSU. In his first start against Kent State, he made four tackles, forced a fumble and added a tackle for a loss.

The watch list will be whittled down to three finalists late in the season, and the Thorpe Award winner will be announced Dec. 11 on ESPN during The Home Depot College Football Awards show.